Episode 5 Review

October 19, 2014

This episode picks up from the previous cliffhanger with Pete/Captain Freelance talking with our villain Doctor Mascalzone. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before, but the good Doctor is fantastically consistent in his role. He knows how to take up the whole room with his evil monologues and timely snapping at his inferiors. Thankfully Captain Obvious, uh, I mean Freelance holds his own in the scene. One doesn’t upstage the other, and that’s what makes this scene work so well. The henchman I’m glad to say is back in this episode! Although his appearance is brief, he’s the perfect addition to the absurd exchange between Captain Freelance and Mascalzone. One thing I have to mention, the bleeping is the absolute highlight of this scene. I won’t say exactly what I mean by this, but when you hear it you’ll know. But is there some rule about keeping comic books, and comic book related media, out of the R rating? It’s a little problematic to do this, because in this and the previous episode Hildy’s only covered in a sheet. PG 13 seems to have a lot of leeway with sexuality. This episode gives everyone a chance to shine not necessarily by themselves, but with other characters. Generic Girl is at the point where the characters can play without having to explain who they are. Exposition! The only character that doesn’t have a star scene is Hildy, but she took up most of the previous episode with metaphorical stars so it balances out. The Box/God/Secret Weapon kind of goes against his function and abandons Gillian. What happened to him solving all her problems? The visual effects of Deus Ex Machina work really well and help add to his personality. I woner how many times this plot device was employed in all the classic comic books we know. Now Gillian is the reluctant hero and takes a trip to the Heroes Guild of America. Of course they have a guild! How else will guys like Captain Freelance pay their taxes? Boom! Pow! Cliffhanger!